Randy Economy: Fighting Corrupt Politicians for Years.

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Friday, October 29, 2010

Pass this around. Boxer works hard for a title.
Now, she is being totally mocked on line from "funster" David Zucker.
I love EVERYTHING about CAMPAIGN 2010. I have had a TOTAL BLAST these past nine months...and now the finish line in right in front of us ALL.
Bring on WEDNESDAY!
RrE
:)

LOS ANGELES – Anna Nicole Smith’s psychiatrist and her companion, an attorney, were convicted today of conspiracy in connection with obtaining drugs for the reality star and Playboy model before her death in 2007. A third defendant, also a doctor, was acquitted.

The Los Angeles Superior Court jury was in its 13th day of deliberations when it announced it had reached verdicts on most of the charges in the case. It failed to reached verdicts on two counts against the psychiatrist and some of the charges in two of the conspiracy counts. Trial Judge Robert J. Perry declared mistrials on those counts.

“This case illustrates the problem of the overuse of prescription medicine in today’s society,” he added. “Medical professionals have a responsibility to ensure that the strict ethical guidelines of their profession are followed in prescribing medicine as part of the care of their patients.”

The jury convicted Khristine Eroshevich, 62, the psychiatrist, and Howard K. Stern, 41, Smith’s companion, of two counts of conspiracy to commit the crimes of obtaining a controlled substance by false name or address, and issuing a prescription that is false or fictitious. The time period covered by the counts was from June 2004 until February 2007 when Smith died in Florida of a drug overdose. The jury failed to reach a consensus on the other allegations in the conspiracy counts, including prescribing, administering and dispensing controlled substances to an addict; unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance; issuing a prescription that is false or fictitious; and violating the state Business and Professions Code.

Eroshevich also was convicted of one count each of obtaining a prescription of opiates by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and obtaining a prescription for opiates by giving a false name or address. The jury was evenly split between guilty and not guilty on two additional counts against Eroshevich – unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance and prescribing, administering or dispensing controlled substances to “Anna Nicole Smith, an addict.”

Stern was found not guilty of a third conspiracy count that also named the acquitted doctor, Sandeep
Kapoor, 42. In addition, Stern was found not guilty of six additional counts involving obtaining and furnishing drugs for Smith. Besides the conspiracy count, Kapoor was found not guilty of another conspiracy charge and four additional counts involving furnishing the drugs.

Perry scheduled Jan. 6 for a hearing on defense motions for a new trial and sentencing, should those motions not be successful. Prosecutors Renee Rose and David Barkhurst of the Major Narcotics Division are expected to announce whether to seek a new trial on the unresolved charges.

Eroshevich and Stern each face possible maximum terms of at least three years in state prison. They remain free on bond. Kapoor’s bond was exonerated after his acquittal.

Yep. Another local seedy city councilman was convicted of a crime against the people on Wednesday.

Meet good ol' Rex Gutierrez. Councilman from Rancho and now convicted of conspiracy, theft and fraud.

He was found guilty of taking a salary in a San Bernardino County government job allegedly arranged by a politically connected developer in which he did little work.

Prosecutors charged that instead of doing his job, Gutierrez took trips to Las Vegas and Monterey, Calif., representing the city of Rancho Cucamonga, and also that he informed his colleagues that he worked for developer Jeff Burum and not the county.

Gutierrez faces up to three years in prison for each of the four counts.

He will be back in court Dec. 15 for sentencing. This was his second trial. A first trial, in June, ended with a hung jury. Gee. My previous idea of producing the "Real Life Political Pirates" reality show could be moving ahead after all.

LOS ANGELES – The 17-year-old suspected driver of a BMW that rammed a school bus after fatally striking a pedestrian is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.

The male teenager (dob 12-31-92), whose name is being withheld because of his age, was charged Wednesday as a juvenile in case FJ48094. Prosecutors are asking a judge to find that he should be tried as an adult, said Deputy District Attorney Christina Buckley, head deputy of Eastlake Juvenile unit.

Monday’s crash occurred at 3:22 p.m. at 2235 E. First St. when the driver of a black BMW ran a red light and hit 70-year-old Eduardo Gaytan, who was in the intersection. Officials said Gaytan died at the scene. The vehicle then broadsided the bus, which overturned and landed on its side near the Metro Gold Line Soto Station.

The driver and a 14-year-old boy allegedly ran from the scene but were detained by a construction worker until police arrived. No charges have been filed against the 14-year-old or a third male who was in the car.

An investigation is ongoing. The teen is scheduled to be arraigned sometime after 8:30 a.m. at Eastlake Juvenile Court

It is literally hell on earth in the island nation of Indonesia today.

Helicopters with emergency supplies finally landed Wednesday on the remote Indonesian islands slammed by a tsunami that killed more than 300 people, while elsewhere in the archipelago the toll from a volcanic eruption rose to 30, including the mountain's spiritual caretaker.

The first aerial surveys of the region hit by the 10-foot (three-meter) tsunami revealed huge swaths of land underwater and the crumbled rubble of homes torn apart by the wave. One house lay tilted, resting on the edge of its red roof, with tires and slabs of concrete piled up on the surrounding sand.
Scary, scary, scary times in that part of the world....

Gonzalez was knocked off his motorcycle and struck an oncoming vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement is estimating that Gonzalez was traveling over 100 miles per hour on Beach Boulevard when the impact took place.

His body and bike soared hundreds of feet after the accident took place. The occupants of the other vehicles involved were not hurt.

Beach Boulevard and the 91 Freeway off ramp at Beach was closed down for hours on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening as investigators combed the scene for evidence.

If you would like to share any additional information about the situation, please feel free to hit my comment section below. My thoughts and prayers go out to the many family and friends of Mr. Gonzalez.

Yep. Rack up four more local city officials on felony corruption charges today.

Four Irwindale city officials, including a current council member, have been charged with misappropriation of public funds after they allegedly attended Broadway shows and baseball games during trips to New York to get a better bond rating for the city.

Defendants Breceda, Blancarte and Ramirez are scheduled to appear this morning in Department 30 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center for arraignment. De Dios, who is out of town, is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Between 2001 and 2005, the officials traveled to New York for up to six days at a time allegedly in an effort to get a higher bond rating for the city. However, prosecutors allege that during each trip, the officials bought tickets to Broadway shows and sporting events that had nothing to do with city business.

On various trips, the four attended plays such as “Aida,” “The Producers,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Mamma Mia,” along with attending Yankees and Mets games. Estimated loss is about $14,000.

BTW. If your local city councilman takes taxpayer trips and party's like a rock star, do all of us a favor and call Steve Cooley's Public Integrity Division and turn em' in. Enough is ENOUGH!

It took place last night at Exposition Park. Yep, we "the people" own Exposition Park. It is under the jurisdiction of the County of Los Angeles. You and I pay for the upkeep and own the land that this "privately held" rave party took place last night.

Here are the numbers of the event:

16,000 people attended the event, and you had to prove that you were 18 to get past the many guards.

40 were arrested during the rave, mostly for minor offenses.37 people received medical treatment during the rave festival.

16 people were taken to the hospital, most due to drugs and alcohol.

150 people climbed a fence and tried to get into the concert without tickets.

The last rave held on this same property two months ago resulted in the arrest of 80 people and three were taken to hospitals with drug overdoses.

By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
October 23, 2010
7:07 p.m.
Cerritos, CA
What a great afternoon. In between campaign stops, I attended the formal dedication ceremony for “Angelic Duet,” a 38-foot tall stainless steel sculpture by artist James Russell. The iconic piece is located in the back (or front, your call) of the Caremore building located at the Towne Center Drive off ramp on the 91 Freeway.
The artwork is composed of two linear stainless steel structures. The taller piece is 38 feet tall, and the shorter piece is 36 feet tall. The contemporary art piece has strong, clean bold lines paired with gentle undulating curves.

James Russell is joined by members of the Cerritos City Council

Cerritos Commissioner Ken Cha. Cerritos icon in the making.....?

The artwork was originally commissioned by the State of California in 1978 as part of its Art in Public Places program, and was installed at the Junipero Serra State Office Building in Los Angeles. Subsequently the building was sold to the federal government and the artwork was removed and stored in Sacramento since 2003. Over the years, the California Arts Council was unable to find a suitable location for the piece, and decided to seek an agency with a well recognized public art program that would provide a prominent location for the sculpture.

Angelic Duet

The California Arts Council and the California Department of General Services are making the piece available to the City of Cerritos at no cost for 30 years, with options available to renegotiate the contract prior to the expiration date.

It is way too early for me to be up and outta bed, but I have to run off to LAX.

No, not going greet Obama to Los Angeles today, just picking up a dear friend at the airport.

But, I will betcha a bunch of dollars that I will probably end up in "L.A. Obama Traffic Nightmare PART DOUX" today sooner or later, and the odds are great that you too will be caught in chaos.

Obama is here to screw up our traffic, yet again. Sure he is avoiding Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, and the Westside of LA. Nope, he is heading to USC (next to the Felix the Cat sign by SC, stupid) for a rally for endangered Democratic Senator Barbie Boxer just south of downtown, and then he is off to an event up in the Glendale/Pasadena area.

I want EVER VOTER to remember this traffic nightmare today, then get to the polls and vote to CHANGE AMERICA...and do not support any candidate who attends these rally's today....

Thursday, October 21, 2010

So, did you feel this huge shaker this morning? Yep, in a day that we did "earthquake" drills all over California, our neighbors to the South had a huge 6.7 quake. Here are the details. Let me know if you had any damage or if you even felt it....

LOS ANGELES – Additional felony charges were filed today against Robert Rizzo, the former city manager of Bell, who with several current and former council members of the small southeast community faces charges of misappropriating more than $5.5 million in tax dollars.

Today’s charges – one count each of conflict of interest and one of misappropriation of public funds – allege that Rizzo took an additional $2.4 million from the city coffers.

“I promised last month when the first wave of charges were filed that the investigation of the looting of Bell was ongoing and there was more to come,” said District AttorneySteve Cooley. “Filing of the original charges was a good beginning. Today’s case is another step in the continuing process.”

The additional charges filed against Rizzo stems from a contract he allegedly influenced between the City of Bell and D&J Engineering. Rizzo and the owner of the engineering firm were partners in a horse racing business.

Rizzo, six present and former Bell City Council members, and one other city official were charged late last month in two separate cases. The former council members were charged in one case. Rizzo, two council members and another city official were charged in the other.

Most are free on bail, including Rizzo, whose bond was set by a Superior Court judge at $2 million. The prosecution had requested substantially more bond for the former city official who the District Attorney at a news conference termed “the unelected and unaccountable czar of the City of Bell.”

All appeared in Superior Court today for arraignment on the panoply of charges stemming from alleged misappropriation millions from city tax dollars for their own personal use. They were arraigned, pleaded not guilty and a preliminary hearing setting was scheduled for Dec. 8.

Before the arraignment, the issue of an additional $2.4 million bail for Rizzo on the new case was heard before Superior Court Judge Mary Lou Villar, who had set his bail at $2 million at an Oct. 6 hearing. She determined that Rizzo may remain free on the previously set $2 million bail.

Besides Rizzo, 56, the defendants are former Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia, 52; Mayor Oscar Hernandez, 63; City Council members Teresa Jacobo, 52; and George Mirabal, 60; and former council members Luis Artiga, 49; George Cole, 60, and Victor Bello, 51. Artiga resigned after charges were filed against him last month.

I admired Jenny as a person, and friend and as a passionate community leader. Jenny had been ill for several years with cancer, and she passed away late yesterday at a hospital in Long Beach. I always had a lot of fun with Jenny. She could talk your ear off, and her laugh always brought a smile to my face.

Jenny loved Long Beach, and loved politics. I helped Jenny in some of her very first campaigns way back when she decided to get into the public arena.

I will always remember when were working to get a candidate elected to Long Beach school board, and we were having a "photo shoot" in her city hall office, and she got the giggles so bad we literally ended on the floor of her office with tears coming down our cheeks. Ahh...good memories....

Jenny, ironically, will be on the upcoming ballot for her State Senate seat. Her main opposition is Republican John Stammreich, his website has not posted a statement as of 1:25 p.m. I will leave the political implications for later. Right now, we need to all say an extra prayer for Jenny and her family!

The suspect entered the location and stood in line to speak to a bank teller.

When the suspect approached the counter he said, “This is a robbery. I have a gun.” The suspect demanded cash from the teller’s top drawer. Fearing for his safety, the bank teller complied. The suspect then said, “I know you have some more. Don’t make me hurt you.” Again fearing for his safety, the bank teller complied and gave the suspect money from the second cash drawer.

The suspect exited the location and was seen walking w/b South St and out of view. The suspect matches the suspect description from the Cathay Bank 211PC (10-22247-13).

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspect is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lakewood Station at 562-623-3500.

Meet Randy Economy

Randy Economy is one of the most respected Investigative Journalists in Southern California and is the recipient of FIVE top awards from the prestigious Los Angeles Press Club in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
He is the host of “The Randy Economy Show” that aired on AM 870 ‘The ANSWER’ in Southern California from January 2015 to March 2016. The show was rated as the #1 weekend talk show in Los Angeles by Neilsen/Arbitron during the months of June, September, and November, 2015.
Economy has worked as an investigative reporter for years, he is the real deal.
Economy uncovered a $1 billion dollar political “pay to play” scheme inside the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor’s Office that lead to the arrest of Assessor John Noguez, Property Tax Consultant Ramin Salari, Property Appraiser Mark McNeill, and Property Appraiser Scott Schenter. The series of articles resulted in him being recognized as a candidate for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 2013.
Economy also uncovered misuse of public office by Los Angeles Controller Wendy Greuel revealing how her elected position was used to leverage millions of dollars for her unsuccessful campaign for Mayor in 2013.
Economy, is now a resident of Rancho Mirage, California. He also uncovered massive fraud and political corruption inside the Central Basin Municipal Water District. The agency is now part of a criminal investigation by the FBI and US Attorney’s Office.
Bold, brass, and quick witted, Economy has also uncovered and reported on FBI probe of California State Senator Ronald Calderon, former Assemblyman Tom Calderon that led to both of their arrests in a complex bribery scheme.
He has covered hundreds of public meetings in and around Los Angeles County at City Halls from Simi Valley, to Long Beach, Norwalk, Downey, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and countless other field locations.
The Randy Economy Show has been featured on CNN, CNN International, Fox News, NBCLA, CNN, ABC Eyewitness News, KCAL9, CBS2, Associated Press, United Press International, Al-Jazeera, and hundreds of other television news shows across the globe…
Economy is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and attend Sacred Heart in Palm Desert.
In addition, Economy attended Utah State University and Cerritos College as well as a graduate of Cerritos High School.
Economy wears an eye patch. He lost the vision in his right eye nearly 10 years ago, and kids and critics refer to him as “The Pirate.” With his reputation for exposing countless crooked politicians, many now ask who are the real “political pirates” in our area. It is not Randy Economy, it’s those who dare to steal from the public and think that they can get away with it.
Randy Economy became an “official member” of the Republican Party in April of 2016.
Economy can be reached via his cell phone at 562 743-0882. His blog, now with more than 10 million readers is www.RandyEconomy.co.